Mirabelle was born to sing.

Illegitimate, unwanted, singing is her escape, in the workhouse, the factory, in service. All her spirit and all her dreams are in her pure, true voice.

Singing for pennies outside taverns. As the demure, drawing-room plaything of a rich man. In the music-halls, first in the Midlands and then in London, singing brings her pleasure - and pain: men who want to cage her like a songbird, men who threaten, promise, demand.

But always, through passion, tragedy and steadfast love, Mirabelle must sing.